Televised images of Philadelphia cops kicking an ex-con after a wild shootout and car chase presents a big hurdle for Police Commissioner John Timoney’s potential return to head New York’s Finest.

But considering his widely-respected record at the NYPD, as well as in the City of Brotherly Love – where even his critics say he has turned around a historically brutal and abusive force – Timoney’s future rests more on how he handles the ensuing controversy and investigation.

Timoney, the former No. 2 NYPD official under William Bratton, has been widely touted by potential Giuliani successors as their front-runner to head the nation’s largest police force.

“It definitely hurts,” says a former NYPD official who has handled several controversies. “But if he handles it well, it will certainly help mitigate the situation.”

That won’t be easy, because a situation handled well in today’s highly politically and racially charged atmosphere often is used “out of context” by rabble-rousers with their own agendas.

“It could be pretty bad,” said an insider in the office of one politician who has touted Timoney for NYPD commissioner. “But if he moves swiftly and heads roll [in Philadelphia], he could come out OK.”

“It does not kill him at all,” another insider in a rival political camp said. “I don’t think anyone is going to say it is his fault. But it hurts him for a job where he was the odds-on favorite.”

Timoney has built up trust within minority communities in Philly, and yesterday he moved swiftly to reach out to community leaders and clergy while walking a fine line with his own cops by not immediately condemning them.

Time is also on his side: The race for City Hall and the selection of a new police commissioner by the next mayor will not take place before January 2002.

By then, Timoney could emerge from this national spotlight with an even higher and better profile, which would be difficult considering a recent magazine article already proclaimed him America’s best cop.

“Out of crisis comes opportunity,” said Bratton, pointing out that his friend and former colleague will use this incident to implement changes to further improve the Philadelphia cops and continue bridging the gap with minorities.